Aironet 3500 LAP without wireless controller.

We have couple of Cisco Aironet 3500 Series access points with the following P/N: "AIR-CAP3501E-A-K9", we have discovered that we need a wireless LAN controller to connect those new access points!, however, we do not have any wireless controller in our LAN.

We even tried to CLI through the console port but we could not set any static IP on it!, after reading on Cisco site we discover that this type of AP is called "Lightweight Access Point" LAP which handles all the management tasks to the controller!

So what shall we do! is it impossible to operate them without the controller?

All you need is a wlc that runs 7.0 code. I would actually look at the 5508 if I were you, just because the 5508 is replacing the 4400. But you can still use the 4400. You do not need WCS. WCS is if you would like a management system that has floor plans of you building. Also can generate reports, etc.